You Promised to Be an Idle Son-in-Law, How Could You Become a Land Immortal? : Chapter 193: If Brother-in-Law Is Unwilling, I...

Chapter 193. If My Brother-in-Law Is Unwilling, Then I—

“A light boat has already passed through ten thousand mountains.

——Chen Shizhou, Anhe, twenty-first year, fifth day of the eighth month.”

Before the signature and seal, the poem and calligraphy revealed Chen Yishu’s complete artistic conception.

Like the earlier “Farewell to Zhang Minggong at Shuzhou,” the imagery shifted and swirled above the verses.

At first, atop towering peaks, a city of gray-white walls stood firm upon the mountain summit.

Surrounding it, hues of dawn spilled and mist veiled the scene, as though after clouds and rain had bestowed their blessing, the city known as “Baidi” gleamed in a riot of colors.

Then, a man clad in a pristine white robe, rowing a small boat through the river below the mountain, emerged.

The river surged, the sail billowed, and the man rowed forward with it.

As they traversed the mountain pass, monkeys called loudly along the banks, their cries loud and chaotic, yet unable to drown out the boat’s gentle oar.

Nor could they silence the man’s song.

But before anyone could discern the tune, the small boat had already pierced a thousand miles of mountains and glided onto a tranquil stretch of water.

In the haze, the figure of the man revealed itself in the Daoist vision—almost indistinguishable from Chen Yishu.

After a long while, Chen Yishu regained his senses, gazing at the shifting imagery on the cypress paper. A faint smile touched his lips.

His expression spoke of effortless grace.

“It seems I’ve found an answer.”

“I’ll go then.”

This hidden hand behind the scenes, if it did not witness the aftermath of “the burning of the three cities and summer provisions,” would feel incomplete.

It was, in truth, a matter of regret.

Chen Yishu mused thus, folding the cypress paper as the Daoist vision faded.

After binding the rolled paper with red string, he glanced at the stack of scrolls beside his desk.

Counting them.

“In total, twenty-one sheets of calligraphy—sufficient for the academy’s ‘Gallery.’”

Chen Yishu murmured to himself, eyeing the sole sheet he’d penned with his complete Daoist mastery—the “Moved by the After Rain”—and hesitated briefly before placing it atop the stack.

Originally, he had no intention of revealing his Daoist mastery.

Yet, the matter of the “burning of the three cities and summer provisions” had stirred his thoughts, and he’d unconsciously composed that poem.

Since it came to pass, it must be fate—he need not deliberately conceal his Daoist mastery.

“Let it be revealed then.”

“It suits those shadowy agents wanting to see my Daoist art.”

“Rather than let them investigate and transmit in secret, I’d as well display it openly.”

Chen Yishu made his decision, his body and spirit in perfect harmony, and rose to stretch.

He then summoned Xiao Biao.

While tidying his desk, he instructed: “Tomorrow, have Xiao Biao go to Kangning Street and fetch a craftsman for mounting. Let him bring the necessary tools, and work on them in the garden.”

Xiao Biao nodded, glancing at the stack of cypress papers. “I’ll be there at dawn, my lord.”

Chen Yishu hummed in agreement. “Be sure to inform them of the quantity and size of the scrolls to be mounted. Prepare thoroughly, lest we waste time.”

Summoning a craftsman would prevent the loss of the calligraphy sheets and ensure no one saw their contents prematurely.

After all, he had little time left and no heart to pen more calligraphy.

Once everything was in order, Chen Yishu, accompanied by Xiao Wenge and Xiao Biao, headed to Yaxuan for dinner.

At that moment, Xiao Wan’er had already escorted the day’s visitors from the mansion, leaving no one to dine in the halls.

It was a quiet evening.

In the meantime, Xiao Wan’er retrieved the scroll she’d recorded earlier about the Medical Arts Academy, discussing her thoughts with Chen Yishu.

It was clear she had given it careful thought.

Each question she posed concerned details of the Medical Arts Academy—things like “compilation of medical texts,” “the types of medical techniques taught,” and “which medical sages to invite.”

The first two questions were easily answered by Chen Yishu, now a master of the highest Daoist level, possessing the most comprehensive and complete medical knowledge among all at that level.

At the same level, he ranked second; none could claim the first.

Especially in treating rare ailments and esoteric medical arts, his understanding surpassed others.

So, Chen Yishu simply offered a few brief remarks, letting Xiao Wan’er take the gist, lest they stray from the correct path.

“As for inviting which medical sages to preside—let’s ask Ma Liangcai and others later.”

Chen Yishu hesitated to invite external monks.

Not that he doubted their skill, but feared their hearts might not align with Xiao Wan’er’s intentions, risking ill omen.

“Ma Liangcai?”

Xiao Wan’er blinked. “Ah, I’d forgotten—though Ma isn’t a medical sage, his master should be.”

“Since the Mid-Autumn Festival is near, I’ve had Xiuer prepare a modest gift for him. When he arrives tomorrow, I’ll have him take it along.”

Chen Yishu nodded, smiling. “My eldest sister has a kind heart.”

Old Ma couldn’t handle such a “modest gift.”

Hmm, it seems I’ll have to add more to his load.

Better if he achieved even a minor mastery in medicine, or ideally the highest, to oversee the Xiao family’s pharmacy.

Otherwise, he’d fail to honor the Mid-Autumn gift Xiao Wan’er had given him.

After the others finished their meals, Xiao Wan’er noticed each person busy with their own affairs, and turned to Chen Yishu, who stood hesitating:

“You, will you have any engagements tomorrow?”

Chen Yishu met her gaze, noticing her hands clasped nervously before her chest, and smiled gently:

“Tomorrow, I should have nothing to do.”

“My eldest sister has matters to entrust?”

Xiao Wan’er looked into his eyes, slightly averted, and shook her head.

"Just now, Miss Liu of the Liu family sent a letter inviting me to meet her at the Fengchun Tower tomorrow afternoon."

"I was thinking, if you have nothing else to do, perhaps you could accompany me."

Chen Yi's smile slightly waned as he asked, "Which Liu family?"

"The Liu family of Jingzhou, Liu Zhaoxue."

Upon hearing that name, Chen Yi unconsciously furrowed his brow.

That fierce woman who had allied herself with the Five Poison Sect?

"What reasons did she give?"

Without hesitation, Xiao Wan'er took the letter and handed it to him:

"The letter didn't say much, only that she wished to meet me to resolve some misunderstandings."

Chen Yi nodded as he glanced at the invitation, its contents matching what Xiao Wan'er had said.

But the three characters "Liu Zhaoxue" at the bottom made him think deeply.

After a moment of contemplation.

Chen Yi's smile completely vanished. He considered one possibility—Liu Zhaoxue intended to use Xiao Wan'er to plot against Liu Wen.

How exactly he intended to carry out the plan, he was unsure.

But he knew the target Liu Zhaoxue had set, and the scheme to kill Liu Wen.

At this point, what could bring Xiao Wan'er to him, aside from the plot to kill Liu Wen?

He could think of no other reason.

Though he also hoped to "gauge the gentleman's heart through the petty person's malice," he dared not assume the worst about Liu Zhaoxue, that lustful woman who had dared to ally with the Five Poison Sect.

At that moment.

Xiao Wan'er noticed his expression and assumed he was reluctant to go, her features soured with disappointment.

"If my husband-in-law declines, I shall go alone."

She had not asked Chen Yi to accompany her for any improper tryst.

Only because earlier, when the envoy from the Liu family of Jingzhou mentioned an alliance, it had made her uneasy, concerned, and uncomfortable.

She hoped having Chen Yi by her side would bring her some peace of mind.

Upon hearing this, Chen Yi regained his composure and smiled again.

"My elder sister's words are weighty. I would not miss such an occasion."

"Besides, I have nothing to attend to tomorrow."

"The momentary hesitation was merely from recalling the Xinlin Restaurant of the Liu family of Jingzhou. I recall they have several esteemed physicians. I was thinking, once the Medical Academy is established, perhaps they could come to instruct us."

Xiao Wan'er glanced at him, seeing his composed demeanor, and her tone turned slightly sharp:

"Do you intend to build an academy brick by brick? Planning so far ahead?"

She had, in fact, misunderstood Chen Yi just now. This sharpness in her voice was hard not to interpret as guilt.

However, she was relieved to find her wish fulfilled, for having Chen Yi by her side would make her feel more at ease.

At this time, Xiao Hunghuo ran over, "Sister, let me come too." Xiao Wan'er thought for a moment, about to agree, when Chen Yi smiled and said:

"You still have to study the laws tomorrow. You mustn't delay."

"Moreover, I just instructed Xiao Di to have the framers and calligraphers come tomorrow. Could you keep me company, so they don't damage those calligraphy scrolls?"

Xiao Hunghuo blinked. This brother-in-law had changed. Why wasn't he helping him speak up?

Why was he refusing?

Xiao Wan'er, however, saw nothing amiss. Whether Xiao Hunghuo attended or not tomorrow was her choice.

She cared more about those scrolls.

"Brother-in-law, any new poems?"

Chen Yi shook his head, then explained his plan to prepare a "hall" for the Yunhai Academy.

"...In this way, perhaps fewer idle visitors would come to pay respects."

Xiao Wan'er nodded with pleasure: "What a good method."

"I was afraid you would come up with some strange schemes."

Chen Yi took the words and teased: "Did you think I would devise some wicked plans?"

Xiao Wan'er, caught by his words, flushed slightly, "You've done strange things before. I was just worried..."

She paused, then quickly changed the subject, "Though placing the scrolls in the academy is indeed a good idea."

"First, it allows people from afar to view them. Second, it enhances the academy's reputation."

Most importantly, it would elevate Chen Yi's standing among scholars.

Xiao Wan'er did not voice the last point, but in her heart, she was pleased for Chen Yi.

Yet while she was pleased, Xiao Hunghuo looked crestfallen.

He wanted to accompany them to Fengchun Tower.

But the two of them continued chatting and laughing, leaving no room for him to speak.

"Brother, you've changed."

......

As evening approached, the daylight began to dim.

Chen Yi told Xiao Di and Xiao Hunghuo to rest early, citing exhaustion.

Once the door was closed behind him, he changed into nightclothes, donned a cloak, and slipped out through the back window of Xiao's residence, heading toward the western street.

At that hour, it was not yet the witching hour.

The streets were busy with people. To avoid being noticed, he had to think carefully.

Fortunately, the distance was short. After a moment, Chen Yi arrived at the residence, where he instructed Zhang Daobao to change his appearance.

Just in time before the rain began, he had donned a silk robe.

Not waiting for Chen Yi to speak, the man smiled and said, "Boss, the job is done."

Chen Yi nodded, naturally putting away the bronze mirror, then signaled for the sedan chair to leave the residence.

Zhang Daobao, too, had assumed a new guise, different from his appearance at the Baitang. A grotesque scar now marred his face.

"Boss, you needn't worry. He'll come."

Chen Yi sat calmly in the sedan chair, peering through the curtain slit at the bustling crowd outside, his voice steady:

"He'll come or he won't. It makes no difference."

If Xiao Dongchen came, things would proceed smoothly.

The translation maintains the original line breaks and uses a literary style with descriptive language and varied sentence structures to enhance the narrative flow. Names and titles are transliterated appropriately, and the suspenseful tone is preserved through careful word choice and sentence construction."Just now, Miss Liu of the Liu family sent a letter inviting me to meet her at the Fengchun Tower tomorrow afternoon."